It’s not Madoff

Yesterday, the Global Language Monitor announced the results of the most used English words in 2009. Being money-minded, I was expecting it to be perhaps Madoff, Ponzi or even Scandal. Wrong.

The top word, in 2009 (the Monitor’s year ends in November) was Twitter. Are you kidding me? Twitter has been spoken more than money? Hard to believe. But according to the Austin-based group that reviews all English words spoken around the world—of which there are apparently 1.58 billion who use the language—that’s the short answer.

“Looking at the first decade of the 21st century in words is a sober, even somber event,” says Paul JJ Payack, president of The Global Language Monitor.

And he makes a valid point. This decade for many here in America or around the globe has not been the most prosperous, peace-filled or rewarding.

Here’s hoping the next decade will be a much happier one and that the top words on the 2010 Global Language Monitor’s list include Relieved, Employed and Joy. And the top phrases, Back to Work and War Ended.

About the Author

Dian Vujovich is an award winning freelance writer, author, website publisher and financial educator in West Palm Beach. Just as there are no limits to what money can and cannot do for us, subjects covered in her blog include everything from investing ideas, commentary, philanthropy, behavioral finance, market performance and luxury spending. She is also is a luxury travel photojournalist.